Bbace for cabriage-tops



' J. L. ALLEN.

Garflage-Top.

PatentedOct; 15, 1850.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN L. ALLEN, OF NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT.

BRACE FOR CARRIAGE-TOPS.

Specification of Letters Patent No. 7,715, dated October 15, 1850.

T 0 all whom, it may concern Be it known that I, JOHN L. ALLEN, of the city, town, and county of New Haven, in the State of Connecticut, have invented a new and useful Improvement and Device for Raising and Letting Down Carriage-Tops; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the construction and operation of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which make a part of this specification, in which Figure l is a perspective view of the outside of the frame of a carriage top on which the brace from a, to b, is so arranged that all the oints move simultaneously, the joint 0, bending downward and the joint (Z, bending upward, the prop e, forming a pivot or fulcrum on which the middle limb of the brace turns. Fig. 2 is a perspective View ofthe frame of a carriage top as above, with the brace in the position it assumed when the top is thrown back. Fig. 3, is a perspective view of the inside of the top partially thrown back and secured by a strap f, fastened at one end to the frame of the carriage top 9, and at the other attached to the lever it. By means of this strap which may be buttoned at any required length the top is secured at any point of elevation that may be desired. The lever mentioned is described more particularly in Letters Patent granted to me Feby. 19, 1850, No. 7097.

Instead of putting on one side of the carriage top two or more braces with a single joint each as heretofore I construct only one brace with a suitable number of joints the middle limb of the brace being made to turn upon the prop e, which forms a fulcrum or pivot passing through the limb and fastened to the frame of the top as shown in the drawings. The joints of the brace are so arranged that by turning one limb upon a fulcrum or pivot they move simultaneously in regular curves graduated by the pivot or fulcrum, e.

In order to raise or lower the top from the inside, it is only necessary to move the lever it, forward or backward. On the outside by pressing the brace the whole top is moved up or down at pleasure.

The strap above described marked f, may be made of leather or any proper material with holes at convenient distances or instead of a strap a loop or loops or any analogous device may be substituted. One end of the strap or loop being fastened to the frame of the carriage top the other may be connected with the lever as above or to any convenient point on the brace and may be used either on the inside or outside of the top.

I do not claim any thing peculiar in the joints of the brace, but use the common stump oint.

I do not claim the rod 70, shown in the drawings by which the braces on both sides of the top are connected.

Nor do I claim as new the arrangement of a lever or handle on the inside of the carriage top connected with the brace on the outside, the same having been already secured to me by Letters Patent of the U. S. above referred to.

hat I do claim as my invention and wish to secure by Letters Patent is The construction and arrangement of braces for carriage tops so that when one limb or part of the brace is turned upon a prop, fulcrum, or pivot allthe joints of such brace are simultaneously moved or operated substantially as shown in the drawings. I also claim the adaptation of a graduating strap, loop, or similar device, so as to secure the top at any desired elevation as herein set forth.

Dated at New Haven this 12 day of Septr.,

J NO. L. ALLEN. Signed in presence of DAVID I. PEOK, HENRY B. HARRISON. 

